Ideas That
Lead to Change
We are interdisciplinary changemakers - Lawyers, scientists, policymakers, Tech and scholars, working collectively for a more equitable, fair, and responsible society, across the globe
Per Year
Groups
Per Paper
"Bridging the gap between policy theory and real-world implementation."- Council Founding Principle
Our Mission
Policy that Meets
the Real World
We believe that thoughts must lead to change. Not eventually. Not theoretically. Now, and in practice.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between policy theory and real-world implementation writing policies that survive legal scrutiny, political reality, and the operational constraints that quietly kill good ideas before they ever take effect. Too many policies are written for the page, not for the world. We exist to change that.
We work at the intersection of law, science, politics, and lived experience because the problems we face don't belong to any single discipline, and neither do the answers. Equitable governance isn't built in silos. It's built by people willing to think across boundaries and act across them too.
We empower governments, organizations, and communities to create lasting, evidence-based change. We don't just advise we translate rigorous thinking into frameworks that can actually be implemented, defended, and sustained. Not on paper. In practice. At scale.
Because in the end, a policy that cannot survive the real world isn't a policy. It's a wish.
"We recognize that an abundance of information does not guarantee clarity. Our work is to turn that abundance into grounded, workable ideas for policy and real change."- Shaler Square Council
Who We Are
Built on
Intersectional
Knowledge
Shaler Square Council emerged from academic and policy discussions rooted in an academic research community. Founded by a group of scholars who believed rigorous thinking must translate into real-world action, we set out to build something different a council where disciplines converge, not compete.
Our team of 24 fellows across 6 teams brings together expertise in public policy, legal analysis, technology governance, and strategic consulting. We work with governments, non-profits, and private sector organizations to navigate complex regulatory environments locally and globally.
Our Principles
Evidence-Based Analysis
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Real-World Implementation
Equitable Governance
Rigorous Thinking
Transparent Research
How We Contribute
Responsible Governance
Across Every Dimension
Policy Review & Analysis
Independent review of policies, frameworks, and proposals to assess clarity, effectiveness, and potential unintended consequences.
Legal & Regulatory Analysis
Comprehensive legal analysis to evaluate how policies align with existing laws, governance structures, and international standards.
Human Impact Evaluation
Objective assessment of how proposed or existing policies may affect governments, industry, researchers, and the public at large.
Grassroots Support
Practical guidance to help institutions operationalize governance frameworks and ensure policies function in real-world environments.
What We Cover
Twelve domains.
One conversation.
We don't silo ourselves into one field. Our strength is the cross-pollination of perspectives across the most pressing issues of our time.
Fellowship
Twenty-four
changemakers.
Six groups.
Meet our 24 fellows organized across six thematic groups. Each fellow brings unique expertise and perspective to collaborative policy work, contributing to evidence-based research and meaningful change.
The Technology Circle
AI · Startups · Commerce · Communication
The Planet Group
Climate · Food Systems · Agriculture · Environment
The Governance Desk
US Government · Politics · Policing · Justice
The Global Lens
International Dev · Poverty · Global Impact · Development
The Health & Society Lab
Global Health · Non-Profits · Social Systems · Healthcare
The Big Idea Bench
Cross-domain · Emerging Topics · Wild Cards · Innovation
Program Format
Fellowship
Structure
How It Works
Read Together
Each cohort receives a curated set of readings spanning policy, law, science, technology, and social theory. Fellows bring their own areas of interest to the table AI is one focus, not the only one.
Discuss & Reflect
Once a week, fellows gather in small groups for a structured 1.5–2 hour discussion. The goal is dialogue across disciplines not debate, but genuine exchange.
Write & Publish
Every fellow contributes one 2-page reflection paper per quarter. The best reflections co-authored by 3 fellows are compiled into a 1,000-word piece published on Substack once every 3 months.
Build Community
The fellowship is ultimately about connection. Reading, writing, and thinking together with people who care about the world as much as you do.
Fellowship · Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
We welcome applications from anyone committed to rigorous thinking and meaningful reflection. No specific academic background is required.
Is AI the main focus?
No. AI is one of our domains not the defining one. Fellows bring their own topics of interest. The common thread is a commitment to evidence-based thinking and meaningful reflection.
What is the time commitment?
Approximately 3-5 hours per week: 1.5-2 hours for group discussions, plus time for reading and writing your quarterly reflection.
How does research work?
The best reflections from each fellow group are published quarterly on our Substack. All research papers are open access and attributed to the contributing fellows.
Is the fellowship remote?
Yes. Our fellowship operates entirely online, making it accessible to participants globally.
How do I apply?
Click the button below to access our application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
On Substack
Our work,
published openly.
- 02Int'l DevWhen Aid Disrupts: Rethinking Development Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa
- 03ClimateThe Climate Debt: Who Owes What, and to Whom?
- 04JusticePolicing the Police: Body Camera Evidence and the Limits of Transparency
- 05StartupsStartups in the Margins: Entrepreneurship Without Safety Nets
Become a Member
Ready to Join
your way in?
We're a community of people who believe rigorous reflection changes you - and eventually, the world. If you're studying at Harvard or affiliated institutions and care about ideas enough to write about them, we'd love to hear from you.
Open to Harvard affiliates and invited guests · Selective intake · 24 member cap